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New York Knicks fans warming up to Kristaps Porzingis?

ByIsrael Gonzalez|

New Yorkers can be a downright brutal bunch of people. They are indubitably merciless, particularly when it comes to sports. They expect to win and win now. There is no such thing as rebuilding. It isn’t even in their vocabulary.

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Who can remember the scene at the 2015 NBA Draft, the night when the New York Knicks made Kristaps Porzingis the 4th pick in the draft, and the future of the franchise?

If you need a refresher, look no further than the video below.

The most memorable reaction belonged to the young fan who was practically crying. Such a response by a youngster in response to something draft related is unprecedented. But these are the Knicks, a team that by now is used to garnering such over-the-top responses.

Is it because the team often fails to live up to our expectations, or because our expectations have set an impossible standard for the Knicks to live up to?

No matter the answer, it appears as though Porzingis is beginning to change the opinion of the same fans that booed him on draft night.

In three summer league games, Porzingis has more than lived up to the hype.

In 18 minutes against the Spurs this past Saturday, Porzingis had 12 points, three rebounds, two blocks, and a +/- of +8.

In 18 minutes against the Lakers this past Monday, Porzingis had nine points, three rebounds, one block, and a +/- of +2.

In 21 minutes against the 76ers last night, Porzingis had nine points, three rebounds, three blocks, and a +/- of +11.

So, in 57 total minutes, Porzingis has tallied 30 points, nine rebounds, six blocks, and a +/- of +21. Oh, and by the way, the Knicks are 3-0 this summer.

Porzingis has taken note of the cheers he has been receiving.

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“I heard it,” said Porzingis after last night’s win to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. “It was pretty cool. I like it. The fans are appreciating what I do on the court, and I’m just trying to play hard. I see the fans of the New York Knicks like that.”

Last night’s game, whether Porzingis wants to admit it or not, was of particular importance. Being matched up with a rookie and fellow top five pick, Jahlil Okafor, was undoubtedly on the mind of the 7’3” Latvian.

To add to that plotline, there were thousands (or maybe millions) of Knicks fans that were hoping for Okafor to fall to the Knicks at four.

Nothing, including the boos and the opinion of fans who hoped the Knicks drafted someone else, has deterred Porzingis. He not only takes things in stride, but he also relishes the opportunity to prove the doubters wrong.

What more could Knicks fans ask for? How about we lower that foul count? Seven fouls is a bit much.

There go those expectations again.

Next: Is Arron Afflalo ready for the Big Apple?

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